More children in Westmoreland have been referred to the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA) in the first five months of this year than in any complete year since at least 2023, with marijuana use emerging as a commonly used substance among minors.

Figures from the NCDA show that 48 minors were referred between January and May this year, exceeding the 40 referrals recorded for all of 2025 (38) and 2023 (36).

Marijuana accounted for most of the referrals over the four-year period. Of the 48 minors referred so far in 2026, twenty-six were linked to marijuana use compared with nine involving alcohol, six involving tobacco, and seven involving electronic nicotine delivery systems, commonly known as vapes.